A r\ 

y 


A 

DISCOURSE, 

PREACHED  IN  BOSTON, 

BEFORE  THE 

Sjtaffatbufctrs  £0ifiionar? 

£>otietp, 

M A T 25,  1803. 

BEING  THEIR  FIRST  ANNIVERSARY. 

By  SAMUEL  STILLMAN,  D.  D. 

Pallor  of  the  Firfl  Baptid  Church  in  Bollon. 

Publifhed  by  defire  and  for  the  benefit  of  the  Society. 


BOSTON  : 

Printed  by  MANNING  & LORING,  No.  2,  Comhill. 
1803. 


c3*  Thofe  parts  of  the  Dfcourfc  that 
'were  omitted  in  the  delivery  of  it , through  indif- 
poftiion  of  body , are  added  in  its  publication. 


DISCOURSE. 


Romans  x.  part  of  verfes  14  and  15. 

AND  HOW  SHALL  THEY  BELIEVE  IN  HINI  OF  WHOM 
THEY  HAVE  NOT  HEARD  ? AND  HOW  SHALL  THEY 
HEAR  WITHOUT  A PREACHER  ? AND  IIOW  SHALL 
THEY  PREACH  EXCEPT  THEY  BE  SENT  ? 

We  live  at  a period  of  time,  marked  by 
very  great  events.  Among  thefe  we  place  the  blow 
that  hath  been  given  to  the  anti-chriftian  kingdoms, 
the  uncommon  fuccefs  of  the  gofpel,  and  its  prefent 
flattering  appearance.  The  feat  of  the  beaft  hath 
been  attacked,  and  thofe  popilh  countries  which 
have  flied  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  with  awful  pro- 
fufion,  have  been  deluged  in  blood.  God,  as  a juft 
punifhment  for  their  crimes  and  cruelty,  hath  given 
them  blood  to  drink  in  great  meafure. 

The  man  of  fin,  though  not  dellroyed,  hath  re- 
ceived a blow,  from  which  we  venture  to  fay,  he 
will  never  recover.  He  hath  loft  his  power  in  a 
great  degree  to  do  harm,  efpecially  in  France  ; by 
which  nation  he  hath  been  principally  fupported  for 
many  centuries.  In  that  country,  he  is  entirely  fub- 


[ 4 ] 

je&ed  to  the  control  of  the  civil  power  ; his  author- 
ity is  limited,  and  held  by  permiflion. 

It  is  alfo  a pleafing  and  promifmg  event,  that 
there  appears,  at  this  time,  a door  opening  in  France 
for  the  propagation  of  the  gofpel  of  Chrift  ; a moll 
animating  account  of  which  hath  been  lately  pub- 
lilhed  in  the  Evangelical  Magazine.  Time  would 
fail  me  to  tranfcribe  it  into  this  difcourfe.  I will 
only  fay,  that  the  perfons  who  were  fent  to  inquire 
into  the  Hate  of  religion  in  that  country,  met  with 
encouragement  that  far  exceeded  their  moll  fanguine 
expe&ations.  And  attempts  are  now  making  to 
furnifh  its  inhabitants  with  the  New-Tellament,  and 
an  excellent  defence  of  its  divine  origin  in  their  own 
language  ; and  to  fend  proper  perfons  to  preach 
the  gofpel  among  them.  Many  of  their  rulers  fa- 
vour the  defign.  May  the  glorious  Head  of  the 
church,  who  bought  her  with  his  blood,  blefs  this 
excellent  attempt  ! 

The  numerous  and  uncommon  revivals  of  religion , 
that  have  taken  place  in  different  parts  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  alfo  mark  the  day  in  which  we 
live  : that  in  our  weftern  country  was  the  moll  gen- 
eral and  furprifing.  Thoufands  have  been  hopeful- 
ly tranfiated  out  of  darknefs  into  marvellous  light  ; 
w ho,  according  to  our  lateft  and  moll  correcl  infor- 
mation, are  careful,  with  few  exceptions,  to  live  as 
becomes  the  gofpel ; which  circumflance  afeertains 
the  reality  of  that  moral  change,  thefe  people 
profefs  to  have  experienced.  By  their  fruit  ye  Jhall 
know  them , is  an  infallible  maxim. 

In  various  other  places  there  have  been  great  ad- 
ditions to  the  churches  of  Chrift  of  different  denomi- 


[ 5 1 

nations.  The  Lord  hath  revived  his  work  in  the 
midfl:  of  the  years,  and  made  the  wildernefs  to  blof- 
fom  like  the  rofe  ; which  many  of  the  friends  of  re- 
ligion confider  as  an  anfwer  to  prayer. 

It  is  about  feven  years  fince  the  quarterly  concert 
for  prayer,  among  chriftians  of  different  perfusions 
in  Europe  and  America,  commenced.  The  princi- 
pal objeft  of  which  is,  to  pray  for  the  revival  of  reli- 
gion in  the  world,  and  the  more  general  propagation 
of  the  gofpel.  During  that  period,  the  enemy  has 
in  a very  uncommon  manner,  come  in  like  a flood  ; 
but  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord  hath  lifted  up  a ftandard 
againft  him  ; and  the  caufe  of  Jcfus  Chrift  hath 
been  remarkably  progreflive. 

The  furprifing  mijfionary  /pint  that  prevails  in  the 
old  world  and  in  the  new,  is  one  of  the  fignal  events 
of  the  prefent  day.  Great  attempts  have  been  made, 
and  large  fums  of  money  have  been,  by  our  pious 
friends  in  Europe,  expended,  for  the  important  pur- 
pofe  of  fending  the  gofpel  to  pagan  countries.  This 
event  hath  been  attended  with  fuch  union,  love,  and 
friendfhip,  among  chriftians  of  different  denomina- 
tions, as  cannot  fail  of  giving  exalted  pleafure  to  all 
thofe,  who  love  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  in  ftneerity. 

The  fame  fpirit  animates  many  good  men  in  our 
own  country,  who  are  exerting  themfelves  in  various 
ways  to  extend  the  Redeemer’s  kingdom.  In  imi- 
tation of  our  Pedo-baptift  brethren,  the  Baptifts  of 
this  Commonwealth  met  in  May,  1802,  and  formed 
themfelves  into  a fociety  by  the  name  of  the  “ Maf- 
fachufetts  Baptift  Millionary  Society.”  The  defign 
of  which  is,  “ to  furnilh  occafional  preaching  in  the 
new  fettlements,  and  to  promote  the  knowledge  of 


C 6 ] 

evangelic  truth  within  thefe  United  States  ; or  far- 
ther, if  circumftances  fliould  render  it  proper.” 

To  aid  this  important  defign,  there  will  be  a fer- 
mon  delivered  annually,  and  a contribution  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Society  ; the  expenfes  of  which  are  to 
be  defrayed  by  the  fubfcription  monies,  and  by  do- 
nations. 

In  compliance  with  the  wifhes  of  my  brethren,  I 
addrefs  you  on  the  prefent  occafion.  Permit  me, 
therefore,  to  invite  your  attention  to  the  palfage  firft 
read — And  how  /hall  they  believe  in  him  of  whom  they 
have  not  heard  ? and  how  Jhall  they  hear  without  a 
preacher  ? and  how  Jhall  they  preach  except  they  be 
fent  ? 

The  apoftle  difeovers  his  ardent  love  to  the  fouls 
of  his  countrymen,  and  his  ftrong  defire  for  their 
falvation,  in  the  plain  and  faithful  manner  in  which 
he  fpeaks  of  them  in  the  context.  My  heart's  defire 
and  prayer  to  God , fays  he,  for  Jfracl  is , that  they  might 
be faved.  But  why  this  anxiety,  if,  as  fome  perfons 
tell  us,  all  mankind  will  certainly  be  faved  ? Why 
anxious  that  they  might  be  faved,  if  they  cannot  be 
loft? 

His  fears  were  excited,  it  feems,  by  the  miftake 
they  were  in  concerning  the  mode  of  acceptance 
with  God.  For  they  being  ignorant  of  God's  righteouf- 
nefs , and  going  about  to  cjlablijh  their  own  rightcoufnefs , 
have  not  fubmitted  themfelves  to  the  righteoufnefs  of 
God . This,  in  Paul’s  judgment,  was  a fundamental 
and  a fatal  error  ; becaufe  there  is  no  name  under 
heaven  given  amongft  men,  by  which  we  can  be  fav- 
ed, but  the  name  of  Jefus. 

lie  now  paffes  to  explain  the  only  fure  method  of 
falvation  : For  Chriji  is  become  the  end  of  the  law  for 


C 7 3 

righteoufnefs  to  every  one  that  believeth — compared 
with  chap.  iii.  22,  23,  24.  Even  the  righteoufnefs  of 
God,  which  is  by  faith  of  Jefus  Chrifl  unto  all  and  up- 
on all  them  that  believe : for  there  is  no  difference.  For 
ell  have  finned , and  come  Jhort  of  the  glory  of  God ; be- 
ing juf  ifed  freely  by  his  grace  through  the  redemption 
that  is  in  Chrifl  Jefus.  The  apoflle  teachcth  us  in 
thefe  words,  and  in  many  other  paffages  of  his  writ- 
ings, that  the  falvation  of  Tinners  depends  entirely, 
on  faith  in  the  finilhed  and  everlafling  righteoufnefs 
of  Chrifl.  And  that  under  the  gofpel  difpenfation, 
there  is  neither  Greek  nor  Jew,  Barbarian,  Scythian, 
bond  nor  free  ; but  that  wbofoever  believeth  in  Jefus 
Chrifl  fhall  be  faved.  But  how  fall  they  believe  in 
him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard  ? and  how  fall  they 
hear  without  a preacher  ? and  how  fall  they  preach 
except  they  be  fent  ? 

From  the  text  I obferve, 

I.  That  the  difpenfation  of  the  gofpel  is  of  infinite 
importance  to  mankind. 

II.  Therefore,  that  chriflians  are  under  the  mofl 
folemn  obligations  to  diffufe  the  knowledge  of  it,  by 
every  method  in  their  power. 

I.  We  firfl  obferve,  that  the  difpenfation  of  the 
gofpel  is  of  infinite  importance  to  the  world. 

By  the  gofpel  I do  not  mean  every  thing  that  goes 
by  that  name.  Among  mankind  there  are  many 
corruptions  of  primitive  chriflianity.  Thefe  ought 
to  be  fhunned,  not  diffufed  ; becaufe  deflitute  both 
of  truth  and  energy.  The  true  and  proper  Deity  of 
Chrifl  is  denied  by  fome  ; by  others,,  who  have 
more  caution,  and  a greater  regard  to  public  opin- 
ion, never  mentioned.  With  this  error  at  the  foun- 
dation, no  man,  in  my  view,  can  preach  Paul’s  gof- 


[ 8 ] 

pel,  becaufe  he  taught  mankind  that  the  Divinity  of 
Chrifl  is  eflential  to  chriflianity.  A gofpel  without 
an  Almighty  Saviour,  a pcrfedl  and  an  everlafling 
righteoufnefs,  an  atonement  for  fin,  is  not  his,  but 
belongs  to  thofe  who  would  pervert  the  gofpel  of 
Chrifl:,  by  fubflituting  repentance  and  fincere  obe- 
dience, as  the  reafon  of  acceptance  with  God,  in 
the  place  of  a divine  atonement. 

There  are  others  who  deny  or  extenuate  the  total 
depravity  of  human  nature  ; reprefent  mankind  in 
a much  better  condition  than  they  are,  and  thus 
daub  with  untempered  mortar. 

Regeneration,  or  the  new  birth,  is  either  denied, 
or  fo  mifreprefented,  that  many  perfons  conceive 
it  to  be  altogether  ideal. 

I will  not,  however,  dwell  on  this  part  of  the  fub- 
jedt,  but  pafs  to  obferve,  that  by  the  gofpel  as  a gen- 
eral term,  we  mean  the  great  truths  taught  by  Chrifl 
and  his  apoflles,  fuch  as,  the  finner’s  real  condition 
of  guilt  and  moral  inability  ; that  he  is  under  the 
law  and  under  the  curfe  ; that  there  is  no  falvation 
for  him  but  by  the  obedience  and  death  of  Jefus 
Chrifl,  who  died  the  juft  for  the  unjufl,  &c. ; that 
fmners  mull  be  born  again,  or  be  renewed  in  the 
fpirit  of  their  minds  by  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
Ghofl ; that  the  method  of  falvation  is  by  grace 
alone,  not  of  works,  left  any  man  fhould  boafl ; and 
that  whoever  believeth  in  Chrifl  hath  everlafling  life, 
and  fhail  never  come  into  condemnation  ; that  true 
faith  will  be  followed  by  a life  of  holy  obedience  ; 
or  that  all  fuch  as  have  believed  in  the  Son  of  God, 
will  be  careful  to  maintain  good  works. 

Thefe  and  all  the  dodtrines  which  are  connedled 
with  them,  we  believe  to  be  apofloiic  j fuch  as  were 


[ 9 ] 

preached  by  Chrift  and  his  apoftles ; fuch  as  were 
maintained  by  the  churches  of  Chrift  in  general  at 
different  periods ; fuch  as  are  to  be  found  in  the  con- 
feflions  of  faith  of  different  denominations  of  chrif- 
tians  ; fuch  as  were  bleffed  by  God  to  promote  the 
various  revivals  of  religion  that  have  taken  place  in 
different  ages  and  countries.  Thcfe  were  the  fenti- 
ments  brought  by  our  pious  anceftors  to  New-Eng- 
land  ; and  are  now  to  be  found  in  the  writings  of 
thofe  venerable  men : Which  we  believe  to  be  infinite- 
ly important  to  the  world,  becaufe  they  teach  man 
his  true  chara&er  and  condition ; call  up  his  atten- 
tion to  his  belt  interefts  ; infpire  him  with  conviftion 
of  his  guilt  and  danger  ; fhow  him  that  he  is  un- 
done forever  in  himfelf  confidered  ; but  that  there 
is  yet  hope  for  him  in  Jefus  Chrift,  who  died  for 
chief  of  finners ; and  that  God  can  be  juft,  yet  jufti- 
fy  the  ungodly  who  believe  in  Jefus.  They  contain 
a complete  anfwer  to  this  all-important  queftion. 
What  JJoall  I do  to  be  faved  ? A queftion  this,  my 
brethren,  that  all  the  angels  in  heaven  could  not  an- 
fwer ; but  which  is  now  revealed  in  a ftyle  fo  plain, 
that  the  way-faring  man,  though  a fool,  (hall  not  err 
therein.  Into  it  the  angels  defire  to  look  ; while 
believers  of  every  age  and  country  adore  the  incar- 
nate myftery — A God  in  Christ  reconciling 
the  world  unto  himself.  And  a circumftance 
that  carries  its  importance  to  its  higheft  pofiible  de- 
gree, is.  That  it  gives  us  the  mod  wonderful  difplay 
of  the  divine  perfe&ions,  and  fecures  a prefent  and 
an  eternal  revenue  of  praife  to  God. 

If  fuch  be  the  nature,  defign,  and  tendency  of  the 
gofpel,  it  follows,  That  the  difpenfation  of  it  is  of  infi- 
nite importance  to  mankind  : for  bow  Jhall  they  be- 
lieve in  him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard  ? and  how 
B 


[ IO  } 

Jhflll.  they  hear  without  a preacher  ? and  how  Jliall  they 
preach  except  they  be  fent  ? 

This  great  and  glorious  plan  of  faving  finners, 
was  conceived  in  the  mind  of  God  in  eternity  ; or, 
it  is  coeval  with  his  infinite  exiftence.  And  in  time 
it  hath  been  revealed  to  man.  The  firft  intimation 
of  it  was  made  to  Adam  immediately  after  his 
fall,  and  repeated  through  every  fucceeding  period, 
till  Chrift  himfelf  came  in  the  flefh.  During  the 
Old  JTeftament  economy  this  revelation  was  made 
by  fhadows,  types  and  prophecies  : to  trace  and  ex- 
plain which  we  are  not  now  at  liberty.  During  that 
difpenfation  the  whole  was  confined  to  the  Jewifb 
pation  ; but  after  Chrift  came,  the  difpenfation  of 
the  gofpel  was  extended  to  the  Gentiles.  Thecom- 
miffion  is  expreffed  in  terms  of  universality  : Go  ye 
into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  frfpel  to  every 
creature , &c.  Accordingly,  the  apoftles,  after  our 
Lord’s  afeenfion,  vifited  the  Gentiles,  and  preached 
the  gofpel  among  them. 

Since  the  days  of  the  apoftles,  God  hath  raifed  up 
a fucceflion  of  men  in  every  age,  whofe  bufinefs  it  is 
to  diffufe  the  knowledge  of  evangelic  truth  ; and 
who,  in  the  text,  are  faid  to  be  fent.  How  Jhall  thc-j 
preach  except  they  be  fait  ? 

We  are  hereby  taught,  that  it  is  as  impoffible  that 
any  perfon  fliould  preach  the  gofpel  properly  except 
he  be  fent,  as  it  is,  that  the  people  fliould  believe  in 
him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard.  It  is  a natural 
inquiry  then.  What  are  we  to  underhand  by  this  ex- 
preflion  ? 1 anfwer, 

r.  It  implies,  that  the  preacher  mull  be  called  by 
divine  grace  to  an  experience  ot  the  gofpel.  '1  his 
is  the  firft  qualification  for  the  facred  office.  Unlcls 


[ II  ] 

this  be  the  cafe,  he  will  not  love  the  work,  nor  realize 
the  value  of  immortal  fouls,  and  the  danger  they  are 
in  of  everlaftine:  condemnation.  Without  this,  he  is 
not  qualified  to  converfe  with  anxious  finners,  and  to 
conduct  them  to  Chrift  the  only  remedy.  Like  the 
unlkilful  pilot,  he  will  rather  be  in  danger  of  running 
the  vefiel  on  fhore.  How  can  he  diftinguifh  true  from 
falfe  religion,  as  a perfonal  thing,  who  never  knew  it? 

Perfons  of  a different  chara&er  may  run  before 
they  are  fent,  and  by  virtue  of  uncommon  talents, 
like  a fhooting  ftar,  fhine  for  a moment,  but  they 
are  quickly  loft  in  oblivion. 

The  queftion  which  our  Lord  thrice  put  to  Peter, 
every  candidate  for  the  niinillry  ought  to  anfwer  fof’ 
himielf, Lovcjl  thou  me?  Without  this  love  to  Chrift 
he  will  be  like  the  founding  brafs  and  the  tinkling 
cymbal.  And  Paul’s  charge  to  Timothy,  2d  Lpiftle 
H.  2.  ought  to  be  moft  facredly  obferved  by  us,  my 
brethren  in  the  miniftry,  when  called  to  ordain  oth- 
ers : And  the  things  which  thou  haji  heard  of  me  among 
many  witneffes , the  fame  commit  thou  to  faithful  men , 
who  fhall  be  able  to  teach  others  alfo.  How  compre- 
henfive  and  interefting  is  this  charge  ! The  doctrines 
he  had  preached,  he  charges  him  to  commit  to  faith- 
ful men  ; i.  e.  to  believers,  who  had  felt  the  tranf- 
forming  power  of  the  gofpel  on  their  hearts. 

2.  To  which  I add,  that  a perfon  his  being  fent , 
implies,  that  he  poffeffes  certain  natural  qualifica- 
tions, among  which,  as  a principal,  is  aptnefs  to  teach ; 
or  an  eafy  manner  of  communicating  ideas  ; which 
moft  affuredly  fuppofes  that  he  hath  ideas  to  commu- 
nicate. 

There  are  fome  pious  men,  who  feem  to  think  that 
they  are  always  to  infift  on  the  chriftian’s  experi- 
ence, or  the  pious  feelings  of  the  heart.  But  they 


[ 12  ] 

ought  to  recoiled,  that  the  gofpel  contains  a rich 
variety  of  important  truths  and  duties  ; with  which 
they  are  bound  to  make  themfelves  acquainted  by  a 
clofe  application  to  reading  and  ftudy,  that  they 
may  be  as  fcribes  ready  inftruded  in  the  kingdom 
of  God,  and  be  able  to  bring  forth  out  of  their 
treafure,  things  new  and  old.  Give  thyfelf  wholly  to 
thefe  things , fays  Paul  to  ']  imothy,  that  thy  profiting 
may  appear  to  all. 

Ye  candidates  for  the  miniftry,  and  ye  young  men 
v/ho  have  juft  engaged  in  the  facrcd  office,  permit 
me  to  call  your  attention  to  the  great  importance 
of  general  knowledge  ; and  efpecially  of  a cor- 
rect acquaintance  with  the  oracles  of  God.  Hearts 
under  the  impreffive  fenfe  of  vital  piety,  and  minds 
well  ftored  with  knowledge,  will  qualify  you  to  be 
both  acceptable  and  ufeful  preachers.  Depend  upon 
it,  if  you  wifh  to  be  ufeful  you  rnuft  preach  Jefus 
Chr-ift  and  him  crucified  ; and  guard  againft  that 
perpetual  fatnenefs,  into  which  fome  preachers  un- 
happily fall. 

3.  One  thing  more  implied  in  the  preacher’s  be- 
ing fent,  is.  His  obtaining  the  approbation  and  licenfe 
of  fome  regular  religious  fociety,  or  church  of  Chrift. 
Such  certificate  will  afeertain  his  chara&er  among 
ffrangers,  and  open  a door  for  extenftve  ufefulnefs. 
Without  it  no  regular  churches  or  minifters  of  the 
gofpel  will  encourage  him.  After  the  converfton  of 
Saul  the  difciples  would  not  receive  him,  until  he 
was  recommended  by  Barnabas.  A like  caution 
fhould  be  obferved  by  chriftians  of  all  denomina- 
tions, in  order  to  prevent  impofition. 

Preachers  of  the  preceding  defeription  enter  into 
the  fpirit  of  the  gofpel  ; realize  its  truth,  its  holy  na- 
ture and  unfpeakable  importance  to  finners  ; hence 


[ *3  3 

they  travail  in  birth  again  till  Chrift  be  formed  in 
them.  And  chriftians  in  private  life  imbibe  the  lame 
fpirit  ; hence  feci,  or  are  eafily  convinced, 

II.  That  they  are  under  the  moll  folemn  obliga- 
tions, by  every  effort  in  their  power,  to  fpread  the 
gofpcl  as  far  as  poflible. 

1.  The  firlt  of  thefe  arifeth  from  the  infinite  dan- 
ger Jinners  are  in.  Chriftians  firmly  believe  that 
they  are  under  the  curfe  of  a broken  law,  and  ex- 
poied  every  moment  they  continue  impenitent,  to 
everlafting  deftru&ion.  Is  this  the  cafe,  my  friends  ? 
How  then  can  we  remain  eafy  one  moment,  without 
making  fornc  attempt  to  excite  their  fears,  and  to 
awaken  their  attention  to  their  danger,  before  their  feet 
Humble  on  the  dark  mountains,  and  the  pit  Ihut  its 
mouth  upon  them  ? Should  we  fee  our  neighbour’s 
houfe  on  fire,  we  fhould  fly  immediately  to  alarm 
the  family,  and  extinguilh  the  flame.  Impenitent 
finners  are  in  an  infinitely  worfe  condition.  How 
unfpeakable  then  are  the  obligations  of  chriftians,  to 
do  every  thing  in  their  power  for  their  falvation  ! 

2.  Efpecially  fince  the  gofpel  reveals  the  only  rem- 
edy for  their  recovery.  There  is  no  name  under  hea- 
ven given  amongft  men,  whereby  they  can  be  faved, 
but  the  name  of  Jefus.  Can  a real  chriftian  believe 
thefe  two  propofitions.  That  finners,  as  fuch,  are  in, 
a loft  and  undone  condition  ; but  that  there  is  cney 
and  only  one  method  in  which  they  can  be  faved, 
even  by  Jefus  Chrift,  and  his  heart  not  burn  within 
him,  to  attempt,  at  lead,  to  convince  them  of  their 
danger  and  the  only  way  of  their  recovery  ? Feeling 
the  influence  of  thefe  folemn  truths,  certainly,  my 
fellow  chriftians,  efpecially  my  brethren  in  the  min- 
iftry,  we  ought,  like  the  angel  mentioned  in  the 


[ 14  ] 

Revelation  of  St.  John,  to  be  ready  to  fly  through 
the  midft  of  heaven,  having  the  everlafting  gofpel  to 
preach  to  them  who  dwell  on  the  earth. 

3.  And  let  us  recoiled!:,  my  brethren,  that  the  field 
is  large  ; there  is  a world  before  us,  and  multitudes 
of  perifhing  Tinners  who  never  heard  the  gofpel. 
There  are  the  heathen  in  our  own  country,  who 
are  fitting  in  the  region  and  fhadow  of  death, 
having  none  to  break  unto  them  the  bread  of  life. 
Attempts  have  indeed  been  repeatedly  made  to  con- 
vert our  Indian  neighbours  to  the  faith  of  the  gof- 
pel ; but  fo  flrong  are  their  attachments  to  favage 
life,  and  to  their  own  natural  notions ; and, I add  with 
reludtance,  fo  ftrong  their  prejudices  againfl  fome 
who  call  themfelves  chriitians,  on  account  of  the  ill 
treatment  they  have  received  from  them,  that 
few,  comparatively,  have  embraced  chriflian- 
ity.  Nor  can  we  reafonably  expedt  to  be  fuccefs- 
ful  among  them,  until  we  regain  their  affedtion  and 
confidence,  and  convince  them  that  we  feck  not 
theirs  but  them.  They  have  been  repeatedly  and 
fhamefully  defrauded  in  time  pad ; whence  have 
arifen  inveterate  prejudices  againfl  the  white  people. 
Thefe  prejudices  mufl  be  removed  by  a different 
treatment.  The  men  who  go  as  miffionaries  among 
them,  ought  to  be  pious,  meek,  benevolent,  entirely 
detached  from  the  world  ; having  nothing  to  do 
with  purchafing  lands,  but  folely  to  inflrudt  them  in 
the  things  that  belong  to  civilization,  and  to  their 
everlafting  peace.  By  fuch  men  much  might  be 
accomplifhed  among  them  under  a divine  bleffing. 

Haflen,  O Lord  our  God,  the  happy  period  when 
thou  wilt  give  the  heathen  to  thy  Son  for  his  in- 


[m3 

heritance  ; and  the  uttermoft  parts  of  the  earth  for 
his  poffeilion  ! 

There  are  alfo  great  numbers  of  families  that  have 
fettled  in  the  wildernefs,  who  are  unable  to  fupport 
a gofpel  miniftry,  and  are  therefore  ftarving  for  lack 
of  vilion.  One  of  our  millionaries  who  was  out 
fixteen  weeks  on  the  weftern  million  the  laft  year, 
informs  the  Society,  That  he  preached  in  forty-one 
towns  in  which  there  was  no  Hated  miniftry  of  any 
denomination  ; and  in  thirteen  towns  in  which  a 
millionary  never  had  been.  In  one  part  of  the  wil- 
dernefs the  people  had  not  heard  a fermon  for  four- 
teen years.  A lad  of  fourteen  years  of  age,  who 
had  never  feen  a Bible  before,  took  it  from  him,  and 
viewing  it,  faid,  “ Is  this  a Bible?  1 did  not  think  it 
looked  fo.”  Hark,  my  chriftian  friends,  the  voice 
of  thoufands,  deftitute  of  the  means  of  grace,  crying 
in  the  wildernefs,  “ Come  and  help  us  !”  Certainly 
we  cannot  be  deaf  to  their  cry.  They  thank  you 
for  what  you  have  done,  and  pray  that  you  will  pity 
them  in  their  unhappy  condition,  and  again  fend  the 
gofpel  among  them, 

4.  Which  has  the  promife  of  the  life  that  now  is, 
no  lefs  than  that  which  is  to  come.  The  great  ad- 
vantages refulting  from  the  gofpel  to  civil  fociety,  are 
an  additional  reafon  why  chriftians  fhould  exert 
themfelves  to  promote  it.  It  produces  the  mod  ev- 
ident and  important  change  in  the  hearts  and  lives  of 
all  thofe  who  really  believe  it.  It  informs  the  judg- 
ment, and  by  its  energy  governs  the  heart,  fubdues 
the  violence  of  the  paftions,  and  regulates  the  con- 
duct. Hence  the  difference  between  the  men  of 
real  religion,  and  the  men  of  the  world  ; between 
Saul  the  perfecutor,  and  Paul  the  preacher  cf  the 


[ ,6  ] 

faith  he  had  laboured  to  deftroy  ; between  our  hea- 
then neighbours,  and  the  towns  and  villages  in  which 
the  gofpel  prevails.  To  which  I appeal  for  undeni- 
able proof  of  the  truth  of  the  preceding  obferva- 
tions.*  The  fact  cannot  be  denied,  though  it  may 
be  vilified  and  mifreprefented  by  thole  who  are  un- 
friendly to  thefe  things.  But,  my  hearers,  fuch  an 
extraordinary  change  in  thofe  who  had  been  wholly 
inattentive  to  religion,  and  in  many  inftances,  its  vi- 
olent oppofers,  Ihould  filence  thofe  men  of  every  de- 
fcription,  who  ridicule  this  work.  They  ought  to 
be  extremely  cautious,  left  they  be  found  to  fight 
againfl  God.  When  hundreds  of  mankind,  of  dif- 
ferent ages  and  characters,  who  had  lived  without 
God  and  hope  in  the  world,  embrace  the  gofpel,  and 
live  under  its  influence,  which  is  attefted  by  both 
the  friends  and  the  enemies  of  religion,  we  are  oblig- 
ed to  confefs  the  change  is  real,  though,  to  many,  it 
is  unaccountable.  To  what  caufe  fhall  we  afcribe 
it  ? Certainly  not  to  the  influence  of  Satan,  who  is 
allowed  to  be  the  molt  wicked  being  in  exiftence ; 
and  who  blinds  the  minds  of  them  who  believe  not , left 
the  light  of  the  glorious  gofpel  of  Chri/l , who  is  the  im- 
age of  God , foould  fnne  unto  them.  His  malignant 
difpofition  urges  him  incefiantly  to  promote  rice-, 
and  oppofe  virtue  ; to  make  men  wicked,  not  good. 
Before  we  can  rationally  believe  that  he  has  any 
agency  in  revivals  of  religion,  unlefs  to  oppofe  them, 

* There  are  two  publications  that  contain  particular  accounts 
of  thefe  revivals  of  religion  in  different  places.  One  of 
them  intitlcd  “ Surprifing  Accounts  of  the  revivals ''of  Reli- 
gion," &c.  printed  by  Woodward,  No.  iz,  South  Second 
Street,  Philadelphia  ; the  other  intirted  “ Ir.cfenfe  of  Piety,” 
&c,  printed  at  Newbury  port,  by  A.  March,  1802.  M 


[ 17.  ] 

and  bring  them  into  contempt,  we  muft  difmifs  all 
our  former  ideas  of  his  character,  and  admit  that  he 
is  totally  altered  ; confequently  that  the  world  have 
nothing  to  fear  from  his  influence. 

Nor  can  the  change  we  plead  for  be  aferibed  to 
enthufiafm,  or  delufion  ; to  fome  fudden  impreflion 
on  the  mind,  whereby  the  perfon  is  led  to  fancy 
that  he  is  infpired  with  fome  new  revelation  from 
heaven. 

The  effects  of  fuch  enthufiafm  have  fometimes 
furprized  us,  we  confefs  ; but  in  the  prefent  cafe  we 
muff  look  for  a fuperior  caufe,  becaufe  it  is  evident- 
ly a change  of  the  difpofition  of  the  heart,  acting 
itfelf  out  in  the  moft  rational  manner  in  the  life. 
The  man  confeffes  and  forfakes  his  fins  ; God  be- 
comes the  obje£t  of  his  fupreme  affection  ; Jefus 
Chrift,  in  his  character  and  fullnefs,  the  object  of 
his  love,  his  confidence  and  joy  ; holinefs  his  choice 
and  delight.  His  life  and  converfation  are  entirely 
altered  ; he  denies  ungodlinefs  and  worldly  lulls, 
and  lives  foberly,  righteoufly  and  godly  in  the  pref- 
ent world.  He  continues  in  well  doing  ; lives  and 
dies  under  the  influence  of  the  fame  truths,  that 
gave  him  hope  and  confolation  when  he  firft  believ- 
ed. Is  this  delufion  ? Would  to  God  the  world 
were  under  its  influence.  The  wolf  would  then 
dwell  with  the  lamb,  the  leopard  lie  down  with  the 
kid  ; the  calf  and  the  young  lion  and  the  fading  to- 
gether ; and  a little  child  might  lead  them.  Nei- 
ther would  there  be  any  to  hurt  nor  deflroy  in  all 
God’s  holy  mountain. 

Should  we  compare  the  effects  produced  by  the 
gofpel  in  modern  times,  with  its  influence  on  man- 
kind in  the  apoftolic  age,  we  fltall  find  that  they  arc 


[ l8  1 

perfectly  analogous.  The  means  made  ufe  of  were 
the  fame  : It  p leafed,  God  by  the  fcoHjhnefs  cf  preachings 
in  that  day,  to  fa-ve  them  that  believe.  Under  Peter’s 
firff  fermon  three  thoufand  were  converted.  So  it 
is  in  our  day.  The  effedts  produced  by  the  gofpel 
are  alfo  the  fame.  Sinners  then  were  pricked  in 
their  heart,  and  faid,  Men  and  brethren , what  Jhall 
we  do  ? This  is  the  language  of  awakened  fmners 
in  the  prefent  day.  They  found  no  peace  of  mind 
till  they  believed  in  Jefus  Chrift  ; fp  it  is  now.  Be- 
lieving in  him,  they  rejoice  with  joy  unfpeakable  and 
full  of  glory.  After  their  converfion,  they  were 
careful  to  recommend  religion  to  all  around  them, 
by  their  lives  and  converfation  ; fo  it  is  with  fuch 
as  are  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth  in  this 
day.  So  different  are  they  from  what  they  once 
were,  that  their  enemies  are  obliged  to  acknowledge 
it.  And  this  has  often  been  the  cafe  with  whole 
towns  and  villages,  where  God  hath  revived  his 
own  work.  Nor  is  it  any  reafonable  objection  to 
thefe  revivals,  that  they  are  fometimes  attended  with 
irregularities,  which  the  friends  of  religion  lament. 
Human  imperfection  will  always  appear  in  a greater 
or  lefs  degree,  in  every  thing  mankind  engage  in. 
Is  not  this  the  cafe  with  all  their  ftruggles  for  liber- 
ty ? Though  begun  in  juffice  and  moderation,  to 
what  extremes  have  they  been  carried  ; what  injuf- 
tice  and  oppreffion  have  marked  their  progrefs  ! — 
Shall  we  then  condemn  them  in  the  grofs  ? by  no 
means.  What  is  right,  we  approve,  and  what  is 
wrong,  condemn.  When,  therefore,  the  wicked 
forfakes  his  way,  and  the  unrighteous  man  his 
thoughts,  and  returns  unto  the  Lord,  every  virtuous 
mind  muff  approve  a change  fo  intererting  to  the 
plan  himfelf,  and  fo  beneficial  to  fociety. 


[ *9  ] 

The  fubjed  fuggefts  a variety  of  reflc&ions;  to 
which  I pafs. 

1.  It  naturally  leads  us  to  give  glory  to  God  for 
our  diftinguifhed  privileges.  The  gofpel,  that 
brings  life  and  immortality  to  light,  is  brought  to 
our  doors.  This  is  a ble'fling  of  ineftimable  value* 
What  a melancholy  condition  Ihould  we  be  in  with- 
out it ! Blefled  be  God,  he  hath  not  left  us  thus  to 
perifh,  but  hath  fent  his  word  and  healed  us.  Let 
us  then  unite  in  one  delightful  fong  of  praife  to  Him 
xvho  hath  loved  us,  and  walhed  us  from  our  fins  in 
his  blood.  To  him  be  glory  forever. 

But  a raoft  diftrefling  fear  creates  a paufe — and 
fwells  each  pious  heart  with  ar.guifh  too  great  to  be 
expreffed,  left  any  of  thofe  who  have  been  exalted  to 
heaven  in  point  of  privileges  Ihould  be  thruft  down 
to  hell ! God  forbid  that  this  dreadful  anticipation 
Ihould  be  realized.  Sinners,  think  a moment  what 
an  aggravated  condemnation  your’s  will  be^  who 
have  trodden  under  foot  the  Son  of  God,  and  have 
Counted  the  blood  of  the  covenant,  wherewith  he 
was  fan&ified,  an  unholy  thing,  and  have  done  def- 
pite  unto  the  Spirit  of  grace.  Now  is  the  accepted 
time,  now  is  the  day  of  falvation.  Death  may  foon 
arreft  you  in  your  criminal  career,  and  fix  you  for 
eternity.  Oh,  that  you  might  immediately  By  for 
refuge  to  lay  hold  on  the  hope  fet  before  you.  I 
pray  God  that  it  may  not  be  faid  of  you,  that  light 
is  come  into  the  world,  and  that  you  have  loved 
darknefs  rather  than  light,  becaufe  your  deeds ‘are 
evil  1 

2.  What  could  have  been  the  reafon,  that  this 
belt  of  interefts  did  not  engage  the  united  efforts  of 
ehriftians  of  all  denominations,  before  the  prefent 


[ 20  ] 

period  ? The  gofpel  has  always  been  the  fame — fin- 
ners  have,  as  fuch,  always  been  in  the  fame  ftate  of 
guilt  and  danger — good  men  have  always  believed 
the  gofpel  to  be  of  infinite  importance  to  the  world, 
yet  how  few  attempts,  comparatively,  have  been 
made  with  energy  and  perfeverance,  to  fend  it  to  the 
unenlightened  parts  of  the  earth  ! 

“ It  is  a very  affe&ing  fad  that  according  to  the 
loweft  computation,  there  are  at  this  moment  above 
FOUR  HUNDRED  MILLIONS  of  our  fellow 
men  in  a ftate  of  pagan  darknefs.  What  pains  and 
expenfe  does  it  not  deferve  to  attempt  to  refcue,  at 
leaft,  forne  out  of  fo  many  millions  from  ruin  ?”* 

I do  not  mean,  however,  to  fpeak  difrefpe&fully 
of  thofe  attempts  that  have  been  made  by  fome 
chriftians  to  convert  the  heathen  ; but  only  to  cen- 
fure  my  own  inattention,  and  that  of  many  of  my 
chriftian  friends,  to  an  object  of  fuch  magnitude. 
It  is  with  pleafure  I remind  you  of  the  “ Danifh  mif- 
fion  to  the  coaft  of  Coromandel,  in  the  Eaft-Indies, 
fince  tllfe  year  1706,  by  which  above  18,000  Gentoos 
have  been  brought  to  the  profeflion  of  chriftianity. 
The  Dutch  in  the  ifland  of  Ceylon,  and  other  of 
their  Eaft-India  fettlements,  have  had  ftill  more  ex- 
tenfive  fuccefs.  The  Moravian  brethren,  have  with- 
in thefe  fixty  years  part,  fent  miflionaries  to  various 
heathen  nations,  and  have  difeovered  a zeal  for  the 
propagation  of  the  gofpel,  which  ought  to  provoke 
in  all  other  denominations  of  chriftians,  a godly  em- 
ulation. Their  fuccefs  has  been  remarkable  among 
the  Greenlanders,  and  in  the  Dutch  Weft-India  ifl- 
ands.  They  have  alfo  fent  miflionaries  among  the 


* Periodical  Accounts,  No.  1. 


[ 21  ] 

American  Indians,  and  the  Efquimaux  on  the  coaft 
of  Labrador,  who  have  been  hopefully  owned  for 
the  converfion  of  fouls  ; and  have  attempted  to 
preach  the  gofpel  to  the  Tartars,  and  to  the  Hotten- 
tots. We  are  informed  that  in  the  year  1788  they 
had  in  their  focieties  15,000  converted  heathen.”* 

The  apoftolic  Eliot  and  the  excellent  Brainerd 
were  happily  inftrumcntal  of  great  good  to  the  In- 
dian nations.  Yet  with  truth  we  may  fay,  little  has 
yet  been  done,  compared  with  the  millions  of  pagans, 
and  the  poor  inhabitants  of  our  back  fettlcments, 
who  are  this  day  without  the  gofpel.  An  extenfive 
field  for  mifiionary  labours  is  before  us  in  our  own 
country  ! and  we  have  reafon  to  blefs  God,  that  he 
hath  excited  fuch  a fpirit  for  millions  among  chrif- 
tians  of  different  denominations  in  Europe  and 
America.  We  truft  it  is  a prelude  to  that  blefled 
day,  when  the  earth  Ihall  be  filled  with  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  deep. 

I have  already  mentioned  to  you  the  melancholy 
condition  of  our  people  inhabiting  the  wildernefs. 
Many  towns  without  any  fettled  miniffer  : fome  that 
have  not  heard  the  gofpel  for  fourteen  years.  And 
when  an  opportunity  to  hear  it  was  offered  to  them, 
no  weather  prevented  their  attendance.  Some  of 
them  were  deeply  imprefled  with  divine  things,  and 
others  brought  to  believe  and  rejoice  in  Chrifi:  Jefus. 
This  is  good  news  from  a far  country,  and  Ihould 
animate  us  in  all  our  future  exertions. 

Were  I to  judge  from  your  folernn  filence,  and 
profound  attention  this  evening,  I Ihould  conclude 
that  you  are  all  deeply  interefted  in  this  blefied  caufe. 


* Periodical  Accounts,  No.  1. 


L M 3 

And  from  your  feelings  and  ycur  number,  antici- 
pate a very  liberal  contribution.  You  cannot  give 
your  money  for  any  better  purpofe.  It  is  to  defrav 
the  expenfes  of  fending  the  gofpel  among  the  poor 
deftitute  inhabitants  of  the  wildernels.  The  mo- 
ment is  at  hand,  my  dear  friends,  when  you  will 
have  an  opportunity  to  gratify  the  fineft  feelings  of  a 
benevolent  heart.  What  you  give  this  evening  is  to 
be  applied  to  the  extenfion  of  the  Redeemer’s  king- 
dom. Remember,  the  Lord  loveth  a cheerful  giver. 

In  fine,  I congratulate  you,  my  brethren  of  this 
Miffionary  Society,  on  the  fuccefs  that  hath  attended 
your  firft  attempt.  The  letters  that  were  read  to 
you  this  day  from  your  miffionaries,  left  fcarce  one 
eye  dry.  You  wept,  but  you  wept  with  joy.  You 
have  ample  encouragement  to  proceeds  Remember 
that  in  this  cafe,  you  are  workers  together  with 
God.  May  that  adorable  Saviour,  whofe  caufe  it  is, 
crown  your  future  efforts  with  abundant  fuccefs* 
and  give  you  many  redeemed  fouls  at  the  laft  day 
as  your  joy  and  crown.  Even  fo,  Lord  Jefus.  — ■■■■ 
AMEN. 


